Torpedo.



GA B. )ACKSU'PL TORPEDG.

APPLICATION FILED mhz?, w10.

Patented Maly 9, 19H5.

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y GEORGE B. JACKSON, OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND.

TORPEDO.

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specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9,. 19316.

Appiication aiedranuary 27, 1910. seriai No. 540,354.

-a citizen ot the United States, and a resident ot' lVestininster, Carroll coniit,v,"l\lary land. have invented certain Improvements in Torpedoes, ot' which the following is a -v specilication.

My invention relates to track torpedoes employed for signal purposes; and the ob- .jectot my invention is to provide a torpedo z of such a character that the envelop or container for the detonatino,` material may periorm the function ot' securing` the torpedo to the head of'a rail. Such envelop or container may be ot' metal, and when suchmavterial is used, a further object ot' my inven- -outshould the metal container become punctured or broken. These and other ri'eatures ot' my invent-ion are fully shown in the accompanying drawings.- in which:

Figure l, is a View illustratingr my improved torpedo in place upon the head of a rail; Fig. 2, is a perspective view illustrating' the tubular body forming; theenvclop for my improved torpedo; Fig. 2l, is a sectional view on the line a-a, Fig. Q, showin;y the detonating material in position; Fig'. 4i, is a similar sectional view of a iinishcd torpedo; Figs. 5 and (i. are views illus tratinp; modifications embodying my invention; Fig. 7. is a perspective view of a tor-- pedo as prepared for sale before beine` applied to the head of a rail, illustrating also a supplemental covering for the container or envelop; Fig. S, is a crosssectional view of the central portion of the structure shown in Fig. 7, and Fig. 9, is a similar view or' another forni of structure Within the scope of my invention.

The yenvelop or container, which, with the detonatinga material forms my improved torpedo is preferably of a ductile metal, one that is soft, melting at a relatively loW temperature, disintegrating readily when the torpedo explodes, and therefore incapable of causiirgr much damage. Lead is the material preferred, and for the purpose of preparing my improved torpedo, such lead container may be 4made in tubular form, subsequently cut into sections of the desired length. It may be made, however, from sheet lead bent into tubular form.

An envelop or container oit' tubular form is illustrated in Fig'. 2, and indicated at l. 'llhe detonating material, indicated at 2 may be introduced, as shown in Fig. 3, and lthen the portions of the tube between the ends ot the saine and the body of detonatinginaterial may be flattened as illusti'ated'at 3, in Fig. et. confining the detonating Vmaterial in substantially7 the central portion of' the tubular envelop or container.` |The ends ot the container may be turned over as indicated at "l to avoid danger ot'losinpr the contents. The flattened portions 3 ot' the structure serve as the means for retaining the torpedo toy the head of a rail, as clearly indicated in Fig. l; such portions possessing sutlieient stili'ness to :t'orm a clamp .tor this purpose. y

ln some instances, I may crimp the envelop or container adjacent the body of detonatingr materiali, as illustrated at- 5 in,y Fig. ln other instances, the detonating matee rial may be carried by .an independent envelop or container 6, of paper, fabric, or any other suitable material, ivhich may be introduced into the tubular metallic structu're and disposed substantially in the center' ot' the same. as indicatedl in Fig. 6; the metallic container' beingr subsequently flattened beyond the body of detonating' mate- 'al and having' its ends turned. over in the same manner as indicated With respect to the structure shown in Fig. 1. The container 6 may be of waterproot` material, if desired.

ln Fig. 7, have shown a torpedo made in accordance with my invention and provided With a cover or covering' 7 of paper, fabric or other suitable material to add strength to the metal container or envelop and prevent the detonating' material lealiing should the metal portion become punctui'ed or broken. rlhis cover may be Waterproof, if desired. Fig. S is a sectional vienT of the central portion of the torpedo illustrated in Fig. 7 showing the covering for A the metal envelop.

container being of suiiicient length to embrace the head of .a rail, said ends forming may be secured to said head.`

2. A torpedo comprising a seamless tubular metal contaliier for an explosive, the ends of said container being of sufficient length to embrace the head of a rail, said ends forming clamping means whereby the torpedo may be secured to said head.

3. A torpedo comprising `an elongated tubular metal container, and detonating material disposed within the same and centrally located with icient length to embrace the head of a rail, said ends forming,r clamps to secure the torpedo to said head.

4. A torpedo comprising a tubular container for explosives, the ends of the container being of sufficient length to embrace the head of a rail, said ends forming clamping means whereby the torpedo may be secured to said rail head.

5. The combination, in a torpedo, of a metallic tube, a body of detonating material Within the same, envelop for said detonating material designed to position the same with respect to the tube, said tube being of suflicient length to embrace the head of a rail and the ends of the .same forming clamping means whereby the torpedo may be secured Vto said head.

6. The combination, in a torpedo, of a metallic tube, a body of detonating materia-l respect thereto, the ends. ,of said container being flattened and of sufand an independent` #within the L velop for said detonating materialdesigned to position the same with respect to the tube, said tube being of sufficient length t0 'embrace the head of a rail and the ends of the same being flattened and forming clamping means whereby the torpedo may be secured to said head.

v7. The combination, in a torpedo, of a tubular metallic container, a body of detonating material within the same, an independent envelop for said terial designed to position the same with respect to the container, and a. reinforcing cover of paper for the tubular metallic container, said container heilig of Suflicient length to embrace the head of a rail and having Hattened portions with 'closed terminals beyond, the detonating material, said flattened portions forming clamping means whereby the torpedo may be secured to said head.` f

8. An improved railway torpedo comprising a one-piece tubular metallic explosive- 4containing case having integral extended ends forming means whereby the,torpedo may be clamped to the head of a rail.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, GEO. B, JACKSON.

Witnesses:

`Jvo. T. BRowN,

GEO. H. AnMAcos'r'.

7same, and an independent en-r detonating mas. 

